Kris Kristofferson and Dolly Parton have a lot in common. They write, sing, act and are passionate about helping others. They’ve worked together on many projects over the years, and both write lyrics about their lives – Mostly.
Jerry Lee Lewis’ 85th birthday bash (streamed live earlier this week) reminded me of just how fortunate we are to have these talented, hard-working artists writing and singing about lives that often seem to mirror our own.
The livestream gave fans a rare opportunity to see Kris (we haven’t been able to see him lately due to the lockdown). Both Kris and his wife, Lisa, are looking healthy, happy and fabulous.
Dolly Does it For …
Working with Kris is just one tiny section in Dolly Parton’s CV. Dolly has worked with almost every artist I can think of. A recent article says she has written around 3000 songs, with something like 500 recorded either by herself or with others like Whitney Houston, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Glen Campbell, Linda Ronstadt, and Kris Kristofferson. The music industry has been especially hard hit in recent times, and many great artists are suddenly no longer with us.
Very few people I have spoken to are fans of 2020. There is consensus that it’s been a nasty, grim, and monotonous year with flashes of aggression, violence, and general lack across the world. Grinding misery, disappointment and repeat upsets are horrible – and yet Country music has always sprung from times like these. Perhaps the Joyful Noise that music can tease from our spirit is more precious in times of adversity.
There is something about long-term, repeat problems and intermittently devastating explosions of drama that seem to provide the best canvas for special songs – The ones that provide hope and comfort for a season, and then just keep on giving.
Holly Dolly Christmas
Dolly’s new album, A Holly Dolly Christmas has just been released, and it’s flown right up to the top of the charts. It debuted at No. 1!
Dolly said, about her songwriting,
“I used to love to go to graveyards, read somebody’s name on their stone and wonder what their story was. It’s kind of embedded in me to make up songs and stories.”
Dolly Parton – from the linked post
Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics
Then she stole his song – Um, No! However, Dolly did write a book. It’s due out on 17 November, and I think the bumper 400-page co-write (with Robert Oermann) will be an uplifting treat.
Dolly’s new book is due out on the 17th of November in hardcover or for Kindle.